Post by Pops on May 20, 2013 11:43:52 GMT -5

Like the title states, this is the first time in my life where I will be standing in a crowd of more than 1,000 people.

Is there anything I need to know besides the common "courtesy", etiquette and common manners one should exercise on a daily basis?

I've been to many concerts but none where more than 1,000 people will potentially be gathering together to see a show.

Thanks

There's lots of good general advice all over this forum. Specific Saturday advice for someone who has never been in a humongous crowd before - do not stay for the whole Lumineers set at the Which Stage, and then jet over to Mumford and Sons at the What Stage as soon as it ends. At least 25,000 people will be doing the exact same thing at the same time. I would imagine that scene could be jarring for someone who isn't used to big crowds.

Post by alieblue on May 20, 2013 12:01:51 GMT -5

Know that the first time you go to enter Centeroo will be overwhelming. You may not have ever experienced claustrophobia or panic attacks and that experience on Thursday evening can bring both on. However, knowing this, and knowing it gets SO much better can help you get through it.

Post by 10goldbees on May 20, 2013 12:01:52 GMT -5

If you feel like you need to rest then you should rest. You will enjoy seeing a full set more than splitting the difference between two sets during a conflict. Drink water constantly. You probably don't need as much beer and food as you think. Have a reliable bag and comfortable shoes with ankle support (NOT flip flops). Be nice to everyone and don't be afraid to split off from your friends and go on an adventure.

Other than that, just read up on the rest of the forum and you should get the idea. Have fun!

Post by mamba24 on May 20, 2013 12:14:39 GMT -5

Bring plenty of water the humidity in Manchester Tn during June is crazy also are you camping on the farm? If so bring a EZ up or something to create shade, shade will be one of your best friends. And most importantly enjoy yourself!!!!

Post by kapeluza on May 20, 2013 12:19:50 GMT -5

Bring plenty of water the humidity in Manchester Tn during June is crazy also are you camping on the farm? If so bring a EZ up or something to create shade, shade will be one of your best friends. And most importantly enjoy yourself

Hey thanks so much! I have been devouring all the threads as much as possible. For some reason, I didn't see that one!

Post by mizvalentine on May 20, 2013 12:30:57 GMT -5

Drink water, be nice, party carefully (tentatively, even), assume more responsibility for yourself and others (including strangers) than you normally would, don't be uptight, and most of all, give yourself a break (especially if you're a type-A high stress psycho like me).

To be honest, my first Roo I got totally overwhelmed a couple times (dust, heat, people, asthma, sleep deprivation, end of 4 weeks on the road all by myself). I 'allowed' myself to have a time-out on a couple occasions even though my ego demanded, "stop being a wuss, power through, SEE EVERYTHING!!" As a result, one of the most magical memories I have is one of those 'breaks' back at camp, overlooking one of the stages, drinking pink wine and chilling. I could hear and see Arcade Fire from my campsite (Marty McFly--seriously lucked out on that spot!), but it was cool and quiet and just perfect. Then those light thingys fell from the sky, and me and my neighbors had a really sweet quiet happy moment of wonder. I could've stood out in the hot sun all day, making myself miserable, killing my Sunday, and MAYBE gotten close to the stage for that show...but as it is, because I gave myself that break, it was one of the most special concert experiences I've had and I was nowhere near the stage. Obviously there was a lot of luck involved in this story, but my advice would be to just allow yourself time to enjoy yourself, you never know what'll happen.

Post by gratefuled on May 20, 2013 12:39:24 GMT -5

I could hear and see Arcade Fire from my campsite (Marty McFly--seriously lucked out on that spot!), but it was cool and quiet and just perfect. Then those light thingys fell from the sky, and me and my neighbors had a really sweet quiet happy moment of wonder.

That Mission Icefly LED drop really WAS magical, wasn't it? Most definitely one of my favorite half-dozen moments in life.

OP: one thing you need to know about Bonnaroo is that you can never be sure when an experience like this might reach out and grab you:

Post by syrinx32123 on May 20, 2013 18:55:46 GMT -5

You need to know that insanely loud music IS NOT GOOD FOR YOUR HEARING. Please protect yourself. I've said it on this forum before, but I'll say it again, I recommend getting musicians ear plugs for $13. They don't muffle the sound, but instead bring down the decibels a few levels.

Post by gryphonkin on May 20, 2013 18:58:37 GMT -5

Put yourself on a food/water/suncscreen schedule. It's easy to forget in the madness of everything. I bring packs of those little cheese crackers with me. Between each set during the day I make sure to drink some water and eat 1-2 of the little cracker squares. Between every other set, I re-apply sunscreen. But I go from 0 to burn in no time flat so the sunscreen thing is optional. Definitely pop a cracker, bite of jerky, or something with some water between each set, though. It'll give your body a steady energy supply and the salt will help you keep the water you drink.

Post by linana on May 20, 2013 19:12:35 GMT -5

Bring some shade & shelter and a whole lot of waterPlenty of sunscreen cause Tennessee gets hotterSalty snacks, a full camelbak, and you'll be good to go -Be sure to take it with you to each & every show

Drink your spirits after dark, and let me make this clearDon't get drunk and miss a show, have a water for each beerTake your time, explore the scene, you're free to stay up lateBut even after dark, its still important to hydrate

You can have the time of your life on a Southern farm in JuneBut many things can go wrong if you don't have the right things with you

Post by Dan'ROO on May 21, 2013 0:48:01 GMT -5

Be prepared fer an awesome weekend of adventures! You may be overwhelmed at first with the huge amount of people around. But by and large, 'Rooers are pretty groovy folk.There's close to 100,000 people on The Farm. Be prepared fer any kind of weather, from extreme heat, to chilly nights, to biblical downdours of rain. But by the end of it, it wil have been an experience like none other.

Post by railroad436 on May 21, 2013 10:12:33 GMT -5

As you should be drinking water all day, I also suggest eating several pieces of fruit and carry some with you. I have a small lunch bag that I put in my backpack with an ice pack and carry an apple, banana, grapes, etc. with me.

Post by mizvalentine on May 21, 2013 10:41:12 GMT -5

You need to know that insanely loud music IS NOT GOOD FOR YOUR HEARING. Please protect yourself. I've said it on this forum before, but I'll say it again, I recommend getting musicians ear plugs for $13. They don't muffle the sound, but instead bring down the decibels a few levels.

THIS.Trust me kids, I worked in clubs and toured with bands for years and I was always like, "ringing in your ears? Who cares?"Let me tell you: YOU WILL CARE. My boyfriend (also a musician/worked in clubs) has it really bad, and my dad (worked in a machine shop as a kid) has it worse. Its maddening, depressing, terrible. Wear the damn earplugs. WEAR THEM. When your ears start ringing, its already too late (but you can mitigate the damage from getting worse!)My tinnitus is fairly mild compared to fellow musicians my age because I wore them (but not as often as I should've). I wish I'd done better.</soapbox>

Post by urbanslegend05 on May 21, 2013 20:17:06 GMT -5

Single best advice that can be given, especially if you'll be 'partying'. I usually drink one of those big packs of 1-liter waters by myself over the 4 days. Sometimes I even drink more. There's about 16 in a pack for you to gauge the amount you'll need.

Post by syrinx32123 on May 24, 2013 13:29:23 GMT -5

You need to know that insanely loud music IS NOT GOOD FOR YOUR HEARING. Please protect yourself. I've said it on this forum before, but I'll say it again, I recommend getting musicians ear plugs for $13. They don't muffle the sound, but instead bring down the decibels a few levels.

insert quote here

THIS.Trust me kids, I worked in clubs and toured with bands for years and I was always like, "ringing in your ears? Who cares?"Let me tell you: YOU WILL CARE. My boyfriend (also a musician/worked in clubs) has it really bad, and my dad (worked in a machine shop as a kid) has it worse. Its maddening, depressing, terrible. Wear the damn earplugs. WEAR THEM. When your ears start ringing, its already too late (but you can mitigate the damage from getting worse!)My tinnitus is fairly mild compared to fellow musicians my age because I wore them (but not as often as I should've). I wish I'd done better.</soapbox>

Yep, I also used to work in a night club. At the time I was wearing the foam earplugs, but these provide much better protection: musicians ear plugs

Post by glitterous on May 24, 2013 15:13:29 GMT -5

Yep, I also used to work in a night club. At the time I was wearing the foam earplugs, but these provide much better protection: musicians ear plugs

People make fun of me because I literally carry ear plugs everywhere I go and get them out if it's too loud. Clubs, concerts, basketball games, even the movies. But I also have noticed that, even at 28, I can hear a wider range of sound than other people my age. I want to preserve my hearing for when I'm old and can't see well.

OP, this website is essential for your first 'Roo. www.poorvin.com/roo/ I used it as the base of my Roo information, then used Inforoo to supplement what I couldn't find at Poorvin.

I know you will be nervous of the crowds at Bonnaroo, but the VAST majority of people there are chill and amazing. I managed to strike up conversations with the people around me at nearly every concert. We're getting together with some of them this year. Just remember that everyone is there for the same reasons you are: for the music and to have a good time. You'll be fine.